In reply to a post by 4M2:

Alright Jack!

My spell checker complained about "alright" so I bailed out on it.

In reply to a post by orbrey:

Right, basically it looks like the actual regulation (rather than what's stated on the page you link to) is sufficiently wooly that it can't really be brought to hold a provider to account unfortunately. I'm not an expert, but the relevant documentation is at http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/oftel/publica...

That is a long obsolete version of the General Conditions - especially General Condition 18 on number portability. There's been some extensive sets of changes since then, not least because of changes in the underlying EU law. The latest consolidated version of the General Conditions can be found on the Ofcom General Conditions web page.

There's little ambiguity in the latest version of General Condition 18.1:

In reference to stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/telecoms/ga/general-conditions22...:

18.1 The Communications Provider shall provide Number Portability within the shortest possible time, including subsequent activation, on reasonable terms and conditions, including charges, to any of its Subscribers who so request.

As was repeatedly drummed into me in university law lectures, any lawyer is cautious over the word "reasonable", as it introduces subjectivity - but there is no doubt that there is a right to portability.

As orbrey says, the right is the subscriber's to enforce - but I'm sure Ofcom would be interested if a major provider like Sky is refusing requests to port out.

In reply to a post by David_W:

As orbrey says, the right is the subscriber's to enforce - but I'm sure Ofcom would be interested if a major provider like Sky is refusing requests to port out.

Yeah, unfortunately perhaps telephone number users are not aware that it's their right to keep their POTS number when moving between providers, and just accept it when they are told it can't be done.

thx for all the replies, yes my number was originally with BT and I took it to Sky when I moved to their phone service.
im pleased to hear that transferring the service is now sorted and when my contract is up at the end of the year I will move over....all being well!

To follow up on this, I have just received an email from Ofcom which states that all CPs are required to release the customer's telephone number for porting, regardless of who originally provisioned the number.

It was also stated that the gaining provider (e.g. Plusnet) must make the request to the losing provider (e.g. Sky) for the telephone number to be ported. It is disappointing if Plusnet are telling potential customers with Sky provisioned numbers that they must lose their number.

Further: "If a provider believes that they have evidence demonstrating that another is causing widespread difficulty with porting requests, they can raise a complaint through our industry complaints process."

I will be putting this to the test in a few months time I wonder if it complicates things for me as I will be moving from Sky ADSL and phone to Plusnet fibre and phone

In reply to a post by frod1:

I will be putting this to the test in a few months time I wonder if it complicates things for me as I will be moving from Sky ADSL and phone to Plusnet fibre and phone

Most people will have numbers originally provisioned by BT. You will only have a Sky provisioned number if Sky was the first provider on your line, or if they changed your number when you migrated in. Possibly also home movers who didn't inherit the previous owner's number when joining Sky. Whilst a smallish number now perhaps, that number of people will be increasing considerably in time.

Edited by Oliver341 (Thu 14-Nov-13 18:07:05)

My number is originally a BT number so hopefully that makes it easier